Arts & Culture

Vancouver is a wonderful place for a bike ride, especially after the gloriously green metropolis has made a concerted effort to become a cycling city. The protected bike lanes make it easy for travelers to easily zip through the heart of the city, covering lots of ground while staying fit to boot.

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Where are the best trips to be booking right now? Our monthly Where to Go column tells you the smartest places to go each month for savings, special events, and all around great experiences. Here’s what’s hot for September.

Finger Lakes, New YorkFoliage and wine. Hot air balloons and culture. What could make for a better kickoff to fall? In the Finger Lakes, a wealth of wine tasting rooms perch on the region’s lakeside valleys, effortlessly providing a great vantage point for all the season’s best colors. And thrill-seekers who visit in September will be able to catch the last few weeks of ballooning season — or hop on a two-seat glider — for even better foliage views. Even if you’ve traveled here before, there’s a great reason to return this year: The shiny new wing at the Corning Museum of Glass, a massive 26,000-square-foot space for the institution’s contemporary exhibits and live glass-making demonstrations that took $26 million to create.

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There are nearly seven more weeks until Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer — plenty of time for a Rocky Mountain getaway. While mountain resort destinations aren’t exactly known for being inexpensive, the neighboring historical towns of Breckenridge and Frisco, Colorado, feature several free and cheap ways to enjoy the outdoors. Tip: The weather changes quickly at these high altitudes, so don’t leave the house without sunscreen and a couple of layers.

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Hong Kong is a city of contrasts, with an endless mix of old and new. You’ll find high-rise buildings that tower over quiet parks, local food stalls crammed in between big chain brands. And it’s a major travel hub, so it’s easy to get yourself to this international hotspot even if it’s not your final destination. Whether Hong is a weekend getaway or one stop on your way someplace else, here’s the ultimate three-day itinerary for Hong Kong.

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Is it possible to plan a budget-friendly European vacation — and one that doesn’t involve endless street food or scenes out of Hostel? Of course it is! We rounded up the cheapest spots across the pond for almost anything, from flights to five-star hotels to macchiatos.

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Prague has a lot to offer, from classical music and high culture to over a thousand years of glorious architecture. The Czech capital city is full of famed landmarks, from the Bohemian Prague Castle to Old Town to the bounty of bridges that cross the Vltava River (most notably the Charles bridge, framed by towers and decorated with statues). But if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see that the streets leading to these very attractions are a sight in themselves.

While it’s not always recommended that you stare at the ground lest you miss out on what’s all around you, we’re tossing that advice out the window when it comes to Prague. Cobblestone lines the streets throughout the city, no matter which neighborhood you’re in. Charming under any circumstances, the tiles often boast beautiful patterns that change from block to block, particularly in more pedestrian areas. Here’s a taste:

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Earlier this month, five Spanish missions in San Antonio were collectively designated a new UNESCO World Heritage Site. The great news isn’t altogether surprising; after all, it’s in this Texan city that millions flock to to see the 18th century Alamo. But there are a multitude of ways to experience the city’s heritage, from the other missions to historic hotels.

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A town on the brink of breaking into the big leagues, Reno is having a moment. And one could argue that summer is one of the best times to check out the growing outdoor and culinary scene, thanks to a handful of festivals that showcase Reno at its best. From a town-wide art festival to a hot air balloon festival that covers the sky with inflatable art, here are our favorites.

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Just south of Los Angeles proper, SanPedro is a major port that welcomes over one million passengers each year. In fact, it’s the largest cruise ship terminal in the U.S. on the Pacific Coast, and if you’re stopping in Los Angeles during a cruise, you’re likely to dock here. But San Pedro is much more than a port of call, whether you’ve arrived by boat or car, particularly when you exit the cruiser zone. Here’s where to explore the best of the region:

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Picture a vibrant town square lined with red brick buildings, a main historic market, hip boutiques, and art galleries galore — all beneath a backdrop of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. That’s Roanoke, a southern Virginia city known for its natural beauty, quality of life, and thriving central core. Here’s an art-filled itinerary for enjoying this charming town, all without breaking the bank.

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The Caribbean is a classic destination for an affordable, short getaway during the summer. Prices have dropped, flights are aplenty, and the islands are close enough for an extended weekend trip. But as we get into July and especially August, rains get heavier and heavier — unless you’re outside the hurricane belt, of course.

Of the ABC islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao — Curacao arguably has the best mix between rugged adventure and urban offerings, so you can feel like you’ve truly escaped without the risk of getting bored. It’s the biggest of the three islands in geographic size, and sun-seeking travelers visit for the diving, hiking, and nice touch of sophistication. The Dutch influence here is strong, so you’ll rub elbows with European visitors and find colonial architecture among the humbler residences.

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Memphis — birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and iconic destination for blues — is also home to a whopping 50-plus museums. And not one but three are brand new: the Blues Hall of Fame Museum, the Ducks Unlimited National Waterfowling Heritage Center at the Bass Pro Shops, and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum opening at the end of this month.

These new attractions join institutions like the turn-of-the-century firehouse at the Fire Museum; Sun Studio where Elvis became a star; Pink Palace, a science and history playground with a planetarium; the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art; and the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art.

Here, the scoop on the new kids on the museum block, plus a few more that we think are worth a visit.

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Our CEO David Steward recently visited China on a 14-day adventure, journeying for the most part with Gate1 Travel to hotspots like Shanghai, the Yangtze River, Xi’an, and Beijing. While there, the tourism board of Suzhou — a canal city west of Shanghai — graciously took Shermans on a whirlwind tour of the city’s best spots. Join us:

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San Jose is synonymous with technology and startups, but it’s much more than an IT hub. While the Californian city is nicknamed Silicon Valley for a reason, it offers unexpected culinary and cultural gems — as well as a fascinating multi-ethnic history — beyond the headquarters of tech giants like Facebook, Cisco, and Apple. And that’s not to mention its all-around affordability, especially compared to neighboring San Francisco (who often, and we think unfairly, steals the spotlight). Here’s how to explore San Jose on less than $75 a day.

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Marrakech lures travelers with promises of spices, vibrant colors, and evocative sounds like the repetitive adhān — the call to prayer — broadcast from minarets five times daily. With so much to see and do, planning a trip to this Moroccan city can be as confusing as navigating the chaotic souks. Here’s how to find luxury in Marrakech without breaking the bank.